Joint statement: climate change has grave costs for our community

15.11.19 By
This article is more than 4 years old

Mayors of fire-stricken areas have signed a statement calling on the Australian Government to acknowledge the link between climate change and the catastrophic fire conditions facing New South Wales and Queensland this week.

Fourteen mayors have called on the government to recognise the spiralling costs to the community from catastrophic fires, and provide more funding and resources for frontline services.

READ THE STATEMENT

Full Statement from Australian Mayors: Climate Change has grave costs for our community that can no longer be ignored

Mayor Statement on climate change and bushfiresThe fires this week in Australia have placed hundreds of thousands of people in great danger.

The catastrophic conditions for these fires were, at least in part, fuelled by climate change.

13 of the 14 hottest years on record have occurred this century. Last year Queensland experienced catastrophic fire conditions for the first time. This week, Sydney experienced catastrophic fire conditions for the first time.

Climate change has grave costs for our community that can no longer be ignored. The fires on across Australia this week have caused catastrophic damage.

In the past week, people have lost their lives, their loved ones, and their homes. Many businesses have lost the ability to operate and trade.

Our air has been filled with smoke, making it hard to breathe and affecting thousands of people with respiratory issues.

Fire seasons are now starting earlier and lasting longer. Apart from the stress this takes on first responders and communities, it also results in a shrinking window to carry out hazard reduction burns.

Now, it is time to honestly and bravely address one of the major causes of these fires, climate change.

Now we need to significantly increase funding to frontline services.

Now we need to place the welfare and safety of citizens ahead of profit, and to support those companies offering real solutions

Some regional towns are already running out of water. How will they survive the next fire?

Many in the insurance industry are saying that large areas of Australia will be uninsurable.

This government has the chance to be the first to turn the years of inaction and neglect into action and focus and allow our communities to reap the rewards

When we have a crisis, it makes sense for us to listen to emergency service professionals

Now, it makes sense for our federal government to listen to the warnings of those on the frontline.

We need the government to acknowledge the link between climate change and bushfire, we need more funding for all emergency services, and we need the government to take the action required to prevent megafires.

Now is not the time for blame. Now is the time for leadership, and keeping all Australians safe.

This joint statement is signed by:

The Cities Power Partnership is an initiative of the Climate Council. The Partnership is empowering local governments (‘Power Partners’) around Australia with the resources they need to craft and implement effective climate action plans. It is now Australia’s largest local government climate action program. Head to the Cities Power Partnership website to find out more.

Image credit: Dean Sewell – Oculi

By  /  15 November 2019